Osprey open final homestand of 2009 season on Friday
September 3, 2009 - Pioneer League (PL)
Missoula PaddleHeads News Release
MISSOULA, MONT. - The Missoula Osprey are looking to make a final push to make the Pioneer League Playoffs, and will spend six games at home trying to clinch their post-season berth beginning Friday at Ogren Park Allegiance Field.
The Osprey will host Great Falls for a pair of games, on Friday and Saturday, before taking on the Billings Mustangs in a key four-game series beginning Sunday.
The opener with the Voyagers on Friday includes the third fireworks show of the 2009 season, sponsored by Missoula Children's Theatre and Mountain FM. Following the game and before the fireworks, the ever-popular Launch-A-Ball will take place. Osprey fans can purchase numbered tennis balls for just $1. Following the game, fans throw their tennis ball on the field toward colored hula hoops in an attempt to win cash and prizes. One pair of reserved season tickets will also be given away. There is also a chance to win over $500 in cash.
It will also be the final Fly Away Friday giveaway, sponsored by Allegiant Air and Mountain FM. All Osprey fans ages 18 and over will have the opportunity to enter and win roundtrip airfare from Missoula to Las Vegas, Phoenix or Los Angeles. Two pair of airline tickets will be given away and the Osprey will throw in a pair of Arizona Diamondbacks game tickets with the flights that are won to Phoenix (if trip is taken during the Diamondbacks regular season - based on availability). Gates will open at 6 p.m., with the first pitch slated for 7:05.
On the mound, the top winner in the Pioneer League, Charles Brewer (7-1, 2.59 ERA) will get the start for the Osprey on Friday, while the Voyagers will counter with right-hander JR Ballinger (1-0, 4.60).
Saturday's giveaway may become the most valuable for collectors of baseball cards, as the 2009 Osprey team card sets will be given away, sponsored by Star FM. With 11 Top-10 picks on the roster this season, this year's pack could become very valuable in years to come. The first 750 fans through the gates will get the pack of Osprey baseball cards. Gates will open at 6 p.m., with the first pitch scheduled for 7:05.
Following the game on Saturday, the final Launch-A-Ball will take place. Osprey fans can purchase numbered tennis balls for just $1. Following the game, fans throw their tennis ball on the field toward colored hula hoops in an attempt to win cash and prizes. Once again, one pair of reserved season tickets will be given away. There is also a chance to win over $500 in cash.
The pitching matchup has right-hander Chase Anderson (3-0, 2.70) getting the ball for the Osprey, while the Voyagers will give Jarrett Coker (2-1, 8.49) his first start of the season.
The opener of the four-game series with the Billings Mustangs is Sunday, which is Kid's Day, sponsored by First Choice Medical Clinic and 101.5 The View. The day will include music and activities center around kids, and the chance for fans to run the bases and play catch on the field after the game. Gates will open at 4 p.m., with the first pitch slated for 5 p.m.
Enrique Burgos (4-3, 6.71), who is 2-0 with a 1.69 ERA in his last four starts, will get the start for the Osprey on Sunday.
The first of two money-saving nights will take place on Monday, as the Osprey host the Mustangs for a 7:05 first pitch on Family Night, sponsored by Farmers State Bank. Fans can, with a non-perishable food donation to the Poverello Center, purchase four general admission tickets, four hot dogs, four bags of chips, four sodas and a super scorecard for only $25. Gates will open at 6 p.m.
The game will also feature left-hander Mike Belfiore (2-2, 1.86), who has not allowed an earned run, and only two total runs, in his last 21 innings of work. Belfiore is coming off his best start of the season, where he allowed just one hit and one walk in six innings of work at Helena on Wednesday, with eight strikeouts.
Tuesday also has plenty of ways for fans to stretch their dollars. It's Bike to the Ballpark Night, with 2-for-1 tickets available for fans who ride their bicycles to the ballpark. It's also Bang For Your Buck Night, with concession specials throughout the game. Bike to the Ballpark and Bang For Your Buck Night are sponsored by Missoula in Motion, BridgeMAXX and 96.3 The Blaze.
In addition, it's KRAFT Singles Tuesday Night Tickets. Bring a KRAFT Singles wrapper to the ballpark box office for a steal of a deal! Buy One Ticket Get One Free from KRAFT Singles! Visit kraftsingles.com for details. The Osprey and Owlz will play beginning at 7:05, with gates opening at 6 p.m.
The Osprey will give the ball to Miguel Pena (1-5, 5.75), who is 1-2 with a 3.98 ERA in his last six starts, entering his outing on Thursday at Helena.
On Wednesday, the Osprey will end their 2009 regular season home schedule with Fan Appreciation Night and Team Photo Night. The first 2,000 fans will receive a 2009 team photo, sponsored by Coke and Jack FM. In addition, there will be over 100 prizes given away as the Osprey says a big thank you to all fans. It's also the final Senior Wednesday of the season, sponsored by Humana. Seniors 55+ can buy tickets 2-for-1 with identification. The Osprey and Mustangs will get started at 7:05 with the first pitch, and gates will open at 6 p.m.
Brewer will get his final start of the 2009 regular season on Tuesday. Brewer has allowed just one unearned run in 14 1/3 innings of work against the Mustangs this season.
Tickets for any remaining regular season home game can be purchased in advance at the Missoula Osprey Team Store located at 412 W. Alder St., by calling (406) 543-3300, or by visiting the official Missoula Osprey web site at www.missoulaosprey.com.
Pioneer League Stories from September 3, 2009
- Osprey score 7 in 1st, take down Brewers, 11-3 - Missoula PaddleHeads
- Osprey open final homestand of 2009 season on Friday - Missoula PaddleHeads
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